The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County is inviting customers to celebrate their recent honor from the library field’s leading professional publication. The Library Journal Index of Public Library Service awarded the Public Library a Five-Star Rating for service on November 1st and this week, when the print edition of the publication was released, we learned that our Library got the second highest score in the country within its expenditure category of $30+ million.

To celebrate, the Library invites customers to visit any of our 40 neighborhood branches or the Main Library in downtown Cincinnati on Saturday, November 16th at 1:00 p.m. to share in a free piece of cake (while supplies last).

Library Journal developed its national ranking which compares U.S. public libraries on the quantities of services they deliver based on per capita statistics for library visits, circulation, program attendance, and public Internet use. The LJ Index gives an overall indication of how libraries stack up to their peers nationally. This year’s ratings were based on 2011 data which libraries reported to the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Libraries are assigned Michelin guide-like star rankings from three to five stars. In the category of Expenditures of $30 million, only five libraries nationwide were given a five star rating.

“We are honored that the Library Journal has chosen to recognize us for our level of service to the community,” says Eva Jane Romaine Coombe Director of the Library Kimber L. Fender. “2011 was the first year of our new Strategic Plan. When developing this plan, we took a different approach involving hundreds of staff in Idea Workshops to suggest actions that would help us achieve our objectives and soliciting input from our cardholders as well. As a result of that input, we increased the number of copies of high demand titles we purchased, added cards for children and teens that have no fines and don’t require parental permission and fully embraced digital content. Circulation, visits, program attendance, and computer use all increased to record levels.”

This is the second time this year that the Public Library has received national recognition. In May, First Lady Michelle Obama presented the Public Library with the 2013 National Medal for Museum and Library Service during a White House ceremony. The National Medal is the nation’s highest honor conferred on museums and libraries for service to the community and it celebrates institutions that make a difference for individuals, families, and communities.